GLENDALE, ARIZONA --- Phoenix Coyotes General Manager Don Maloney announced today the Coyotes have signed defenseman Mark Louis (pronounced Lewis) to a one-year contract. As per club policy, terms of the contract were not disclosed.

The 6-foot-4, 225 pound Louis collected four assists and 72 penalty minutes (PIM) in 23 games with the Portland Pirates, the Coyotes American Hockey League affiliate this season. Louis signed a PTO (professional try-out agreement) with Portland on Feb. 27. He signed an AHL contact with the Pirates on Mar. 5.

The 25-year-old native of Ponoka, Alberta appeared in 41 career games with St. Francis Xavier University (Atlantic University Sport – Canada), recording 1-3-4 and 92 PIM. Louis also appeared in 303 games in the Western Hockey League (WHL), registering 10-40-50 and 379 PIM with the Brandon Wheat Kings (2003-04 through 2007-08) and Red Deer Rebels (2007-08).